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LTE: Hat’s off to MP Alex Ruff for his Bill C-377 – An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada
Dear Editor
With everything that is happening in the world, finally, someone, with some common sense, has risen to the challenge, in an attempt to assist in making Canada a safer place. This Bill, which has received various non-partisan support, is the first step in achieving much needed national security, not only for Canadians, but for those we elect to the House of Commons and who are appointed to the Senate.
During Committee questioning MP Ruff and Liberal MP Sherry Romanado explain exactly what this Bill would do. MP Romanado expressed that during her work on the Defence Committee there was classified information, needed, but there was no avenue, to even make application for a security clearance.
MP Ruff, in conjunction with MP Romanado, clarified just why there needs to be an avenue to apply for clearance.
This Bill is that avenue, for parliamentarians, to make application for a secret security clearance. That said, as there is no legislative definition of “need to know” and this term had to be removed, based on concerns of some officials during debate at Committee (see links).
Alex Ruff at committee
“clause (1) (b) be amended by replacing lines 15 and 16 to … “deemed to need that security clearance….” Addressed concerns that were raised by the officials…about the term “need to know”…“The only purpose of my bill is about allowing parliamentarians to apply for a secret security clearance that it has nothing to do with how the government controls access to that information or ever disseminates it.”
Bill C-377 attempts to take the partisanship out of parliament and committees. It strives to ensure all MPs, etc., can apply, in secret, to get their security clearance.
According to MP Ruff, over the past decades there have been approx., 250,000 requests for security clearance. Of those 250,000 only 23 have not receive security clearance.
The push back, by other party members, completely changes the intent of this Bill. If the amendments, by the opposition parties are allowed, this Bill may not even be passed. They want to add:
“(3) A member or former member of the Senate or the House of Commons must not knowingly disclose information to which they were given access under a security clearance through section 13.1 of the Parliament of Canada Act, except if the disclosure is made during a special committee of the Senate or the House of Commons, or of a joint committee, under an agreement with all House leaders of recognized parties and complies with established procedures and practices for the secure handling, storage, transportation, transmission and destruction of information or documents, including any requirement found in a Treasury Board policy, guideline or directive.”
There is no need for this to included.
In conclusion, this Bill is only an avenue for members of parliament/senate, etc., to apply. It does not guarantee they will receive clearance, nor does it open pandora’s box allowing said person the ability to find out anything – this is about an application for security clearance – nothing more, nothing less and does not restrict what government decides.
There should be support for this Bill as a first step and it may assist our parliamentarians to serve Canadians in a more fulsome manner.
Must watch videos to understand this Bill and its importance to Canadians…
https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2?fk=12907119
Elizabeth Marshall
Author
Director of Research – Ontario Landowners Association
Past Chair – Canadian Justice Review Board
Legal/Legislative/General Researcher –
MPs, MPPs, Municipal Officials, Lawyers, etc.
